Captain Caitlin Bassett's height was as influential as ever as she landed 37 from 43 shots while Gretel Tippett nailed 21 from 25.

Aerial maestro Tippett made the most of a surprise starting promotion ahead of Steph Wood.

New Zealand never looked like winning, let alone by the 14-goal margin they needed to snare the silverware, on goal differential, for the first time since 2012.

Shooter Maria Folau missed only one of her 41 shots in Hamilton but was reduced to 27 from 34.

She was marked doggedly by Courtney Bruce and took nearly five minutes to lodge her first shot.

Alexander said victory was set up by their early all-court defensive pressure, built on a desire to atone for their performance four days earlier.

"I'm really, really thrilled. We threw the challenge out to the group and everyone knew they hadn't put their best foot forward in Hamilton," she said.

"Tonight's performance was much more like what we expect."

Browne was named player of the match for her ability to find space and make the right feeding choices, something Alexander said was a regular feature since the diminutive midcourter's debut two months ago.

"Kelsey has became part of the woodwork. You would have thought she'd played with us for 10 years, truly. She's just added so much to the team and I love her aggressiveness in defence as well."

Australia were 18-13 up after the first quarter and led 32-24 at the main break.

Their eighth Constellation Cup triumph in nine editions was assured when they led 46-33 entering the final stanza, which New Zealand narrowly won.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua was struggling for positives.

"Credit where credit is due, I thought Australia had really good energy and their connection at that attacking end was really good.

"They played the height factor and we couldn't compete up in the air."